Buccal Fat Removal San Francisco

Before

After

Before

After

Buccal Fat pad removal, also known as cheek reduction surgery, is designed to create a more sculpted and often slimmer facial contour. With the removal of the buccal fat pads, the cheekbones are highlighted, reducing the cherubic, round appearance of the face. Excess buccal fat is usually a familial condition that does not respond to weight loss. It is this buccal fat that is responsible for native facial fullness. For folks who find their facial fullness to be excessive, buccal fat removal may be a good option.

If a patient also has a wide or square jaw with prominent masseter muscles, he or she may also be a great candidate for Jaw Slimming Botox.

The buccal fat resides in a deep space between the lining of the mouth and its accompanying muscle, the buccinator muscle, and the overlying muscles of facial expression. This is a space with few blood vessels, making it very safe and easy to access. The deep location of the buccal fat within this precise space prevents its removal with liposuction.

BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL SURGERY

Buccal fat removal is performed through a very small incision in the lining of the mouth on each side. This is most commonly performed under local anesthesia with medications to decrease pain and anxiety. Depending on the patient’s preference, the procedure can also be performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. This may be an attractive option for someone already undergoing other concurrent procedures. The amount of buccal fat removed depends on the desired level of effect, and can be up to the size of a golf ball. The surgery takes less than 1 hour to complete.

RECOVERY FROM BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL SURGERY

Recovery from buccal fat removal is very straightforward. After the procedure is completed, the patient is able to resume relatively normal but nonstrenuous activity that day. The patient should consume a liquid diet for the rest of the first day, and advance to soft, easy to eat foods for the following 5 days. It is best to limit salt and citrus intake that may irritate the wound. The incision requires no special postoperative care and the sutures dissolve on their own, eliminating the need for removal. After the operation, some swelling, bruising and discomfort may be present for a few days or more, but will subside as healing progresses. After three weeks, the majority of the swelling will have resolved and improvement will be noticeable. Residual mild swelling may be present for up to 4 months.

ALWAYS A TEAM APPROACH

When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Chiu-Collins will walk you through every step of the process, from education and facial analysis, to pretreatment instructions, the treatment itself, and what to expect afterwards.